SYNONYMY NOTE: prevent implies a stopping or keeping from happening, as by some prior action or by interposing
an obstacle or impediment [to prevent disease]; forestall suggests advance action to stop something in its course and thereby make it ineffective
[try to forestall their questions]; preclude implies a making impossible by shutting off every possibility of occurrence [locked doors precluded his escape ]; obviate suggests the preventing of some unfavorable outcome by taking necessary anticipatory
measures [her frankness obviated objections]; avert suggests a warding off of imminent danger or misfortune [diplomacy can avert war]

Example sentences containing 'prevent'

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Adrina had to bite her lip to prevent herself laughingaloud.Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)Her diet is supposed to prevent her from vomiting: no food-poisoning, no bacteria, no bugs.Scarlett Thomas GOING OUT (2001)He doesn't say that it might be made strong enough to prevent a man from Skilling at all.Robin Hobb THE GOLDEN FOOL: BOOK TWO OF THE TAWNY MAN (2001)

Sluggish with sleep, I was unable to move in time to prevent her from placing it neatly on my chest.Elizabeth Peters HE SHALL THUNDER IN THE SKY (2001)

Trends of 'prevent'

Very Common. prevent is one of the 4000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary